Electric-circuit-controlling switch.



W. E. GORTON.

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I0. IBM.

1,, 14,064., Patented July 13, 1915.

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W. E. GORTON.

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED .IUNE I0, 191.4.

Patented July 13, I915.

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WILLIAIVIE. GORTON, OF ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0WILLIAM F. HOFFMAN, OF ST. JOSEPH, -IVI'ISSOURI.

ELECTRIC-CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING SWITCH.

Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1915.

Application filed June 10, 1914. Serial 1110.344361].

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM GoR'ro-N, acitizen of the United States, residing at St. Joseph, in the county ofBuchanan and State of Missouri, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Electric-Circuit- Controlling Switches, of .Which thefollow.- ing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in electric circuit controllingswitches and has particular application to a pressure controlled switchfor controlling the circuits of electric motors for driving air pumps,water pumps and analogous apparatus, the present invention being inthenature of an improvement on the switch illustrated in my formerPatent No. 1,050,939, issued January 21, 1913.

In carrying out the present invention, it is my purpose to provide aswitch of the class described whereby the circuit of the motor will bebroken when the pressure of the fluid reaches a predetermined point .andwhereby such circuit will be reestablished upon the pressure droppingbelow a prescribed point.

It is also my purpose to provide an electric circuit controlling switchwherein the blade of the switch will be actuated to open and closedpositions with a snap action, thereby preventing arcing at the contactsand eliminating the burning out of such contacts.

A further object of my invention is to improve and simplify the generalconstruction of switches of the character referred to and to provide aswitch which will be positive and effective in operation.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists in theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forthin and falling within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of an electriccircuit controlling switch constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, the parts being shown in the position they occupy when theswitchis closed. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts in theposition they occupy previous to the opening of the switch. Fig. 3 is avertical sectional View through the switch. Rig. 4t-is a similarviewtaken at right angles to Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan view of thelocking plate and arm connected thereto removedj Referring now-to thedrawings in detail, 1 designates a base or slab composed of slate,porcelain, fiber or other insulating material. Upstanding from the base1 adjacent to one end thereof is a post 2 .and rotatably mount eduponthe post 2 is a disk 3 preferably composed of insulating material, suchas porcelain. Secured to the inner face of the disk 3, that is, the faceof the disk confrontingthe adjacent face of the base or slab 1, is aswitch blade 4 having the opposite ends extending outwardly from thedisk at diametrically opposite points. Coacting with the opposite endsof the blade 1 and adapted to receive the latter when the disk isrotated in one direction are contact jaws 5 suitably fastened to thebase 1 and openingin relatively opposite directions so that when thedisk is revolved in one direction the jaws will receive the oppositeends of the blade, while when the direction of the disk is reversed theends of the blade will recede from and disengage the jaws. Fixed to theupper face of the disk- 3 and rotatable therewith is a locking plate 6having oneedge, adjacent tothe opposite ends thereof, formed to provideshoulders 7 and shoulders 8 offset from the shoulders 7. Fixed to theopposite edge of the locking plate 6 and projecting outwardly therefromis an arm 9 by means of which the disk 3 and blade 4 may be revolved toopen and close the switch. Upstanding from the base adjacent to one sideedge thereof and at opposite sides of the axisiof the disk are pivotposts 10 and pivoted upon the upper end of one of the posts is a dog 11adapted to engage the ad jacent shoulder 7 on the locking plate 6 tohold the disk and switch blade against movement in one direction, whilepivoted upon the upper end of the remaining pivot post is a dog 12adapted to engage the adjacent shoulder 7 to prevent movement of theswitch blade and disk in the opposite direction.

Pivotedupon the post with the dog 11 and lying in face to face contactwith the upper side of the doglis a lever 13 capable of swingingmovement and adapted when swung in one direction to engage an adjust- 12and lies in face to face contact with the upper side of the latter andis capable of swinging movement and adapted, when swung in onedirection, to engage an adjustable set screw 17 threaded through a lug18 formed integral with the outer edge of the dog12 and projectingupwardly therefrom. These levers 13 and 16 are disposed at the oppositesides of and in a plane above the arm 9 and the outer ends of the leversare equipped with depending pins 19 disposed in the path of movement ofthe arm 9 so that when the latter is swung in one direction the lever 13will be swung about its pivotal connection with the post 10 and engagethe set screw 14 to swing the dog 11 out of the path of the adjacent endof the plate 6, while when the arm is swung in the opposite direction,the lever will be actuated to engage the set screw 17 and so swing thedog 12 out of the path of the adjacent shoulder 7. Secured to theconfronting edges of the dogs 11 and 12 and acting to draw such dogstoward each other and hold the same in the path of the respectiveshoulders on the locking plate is a coiled contractile spring 20, whileintersecting the levers 13 and 16 adjaeent to the outer ends thereof isa coiled contractile spring 21 acting to draw one lever after the otherso that the pin on the pulled lever will engage the adjacent edge of thearm 9 with the effect to swing the latter and the switch blades upon therelease of the particular locking dog.

Pivoted upon the upper end of the post 2 and disposed in a plane abovethe arm 9 is an operating lever 22 adapted, when swung in one direction,to engage the adjacent edge of the lever 13, and when swung in theopposite direction to engage the adjacent edge of the lever 16. Thisoperating lever 22 is operated through any suitable form of pressurecontrolled device. In the present instance, this device comprises atubular case 23 appropriately fastened to the base 1 and having one endformed with an annular flange 24 adapted to be bolted or otherwiseconnected to a pressure reservoir or receiver and the opposite end screwthreaded interiorly as at 25. Disposed within the flange end of the caseis a diaphragm 26 under the influence of the fluid within the receiver,while threaded into the opposite end of the case is an adjusting nut 27.Connected with the diaphragm26 and projecting outwardly of the threadedend of the casing through the adjusting nut is a rod. 28 having theouter end thereof pivotally connected with the operating lever 22, andencircling the rod 28 within the case 23 is a coiled expansion spring 29having one end engaging the diaphragm and the opposite end abutting theadjusting nut.

In practice, when the pressure within the receiver rises to apredetermined point, determined by the tension of the spring 29 and theadjustment of the nut 27, the diaphragm 26 is actuated under thepressure of the fluid and the rod 28 moved outwardly, thereby swingingthe operating lever 22 toward the lever 13. In the initial movement ofthe operating lever, one edge thereof engages the adjacent edge of thelever 13 and in the continued movement of the operating lever the lever13 is swung about its pivotal connection with the particular post 10 andso engages the set screw let, thereby swinging the dog 11 out of thepath of the adjacent shoulder 7. Simultaneously with this movement ofthe lever 13 under the action of'the operating lever, the spring 21 isplaced under tension and swings the lever 16 about its pivotalconnection with the remaining post 10 whereby the pin 19 on the outerend of the last-mentioned lever engages the adjacent edge of the arm 9whereby the lever 16 is held stationary previous to the release of theshoulder 7 by the dog 11, the tension of the spring 21 increasing as thelever 13 is operated from the lever 22. Immediately that the dog 11 ismoved out of the path of the shoulder 7 the spring 21 reacts and soswings the lever 16 and arm 9 with the effect to rotate the blade 41 outof engagement with the jaws 5 with a snap action. In the movement of thelever 16 under the action of the spring 21, the spring 20 reacts orcontracts and throws the dog 12 into the path of the adjacent shoulder 7on the locking plate 6. When the pressure within the receiver dropsbelow the prescribed point, the above operation is reversed and theoperating lever is swung under the action of the spring 29 whereby thelever 16 relieves the locking plate of the influence of the dog 12 sothat the circuit will be recstablished.

By means of the set screws 1 1 and 17 any lost motion between the dogs11 and 12 of the levers 13 and 16 respectively may be taken up, whilethrough the medium of the shoulders 8 at the opposite ends of thelocking plate, undue swinging movement of the switch blade iseliminated, each shoulder engages the adjacent dog immediatelv that theadjacent shoulder 7 is relieved of the influence of the dog.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdraw ings, the construction. mode of operation and manner of employingmy improved pressure controlled switch will be readily apparent.

I claim:

1. In an electric circuit controlling switch,

a blade capable of movement in one direction to open position and in theopposite direction to closed position, an arm connected to said bladefor moving the latter, a locking plate secured to said arm transverselythereof, a dog pivoted adjacent to one end of said plate, a second dogpivoted adjacent to the opposite end of said plate, means acting uponsaid dogs to swing the latter into the path of movement of the plate, alever pivoted for swinging movement and controlling said first dog, asecond lever pivoted for swinging movement and controlling the sec onddog, pins depending from said levers and adapted to engage said arm, atension device connected with said levers and drawing the latternormally toward each other, and an operating lever pivoted atone end anddisposed between said first levers and movable in one direction toengage the first lever to release the dog controlled thereby and placesaid tension device under tension whereby upon the release of the dogthe idle lever will swing said arm to move the switch blade in onedirection and in the opposite direction to engage the second-named leverand swing the latter to release the second-named dog and place saidtension device under tension whereby upon the release of the dog thefirst-mentioned lever will actuate said arm to move the switch blade inthe reverse direction.

2. In an electric circuit controlling switch, a blade capable ofmovement in one direction to open position, and in the oppositedirection to closed position, an arm connected to said blade for movingthe latter, a locking plate secured to said arm transversely thereof, adog pivoted adjacent to one end of said plate, a second dog pivotedadjacent to the opposite end of said plate, means acting upon said dogsto swing the latter into the path of movement of the plate, a leverpivoted for swinging movement and controlling said first dog, a secondlever pivoted for swinging movement and controlling the second dog, pinsdepending from said levers and adapted to engage said arm, a tensiondevice connected with said levers and drawing the latter normally towardeach other, an operating lever pivoted at one end and disposed betweensaid first levers and movable in one direction to engage the first leverto release the dog controlled thereby and place said tension deviceunder tension whereby upon the release of the dog the idle lever willswing said arm to move the switch blade in one direction and in the opposite direction to engage the second-named lever and swing the latterto release the second-named dog and place said tension device undertension whereby upon the release of the dog the first-mentioned leverwill actuate said arm to move the switch blade in the reverse direction,and means for taking up lost motion between said dogs and the respectivelevers.

8. In an electric circuit controlling switch, a blade capable ofmovement in one direction to open position and in the opposite directionto closed position, an arm connected to said blade for moving thelatter, a looking plate secured to said arm transversely thereof, a dogpivoted adjacent to one end of said plate, a second dog pivoted adjacentto the opposite end of said plate, means acting upon said dogs to swingthe latter into the path of movement of the plate, a lever pivoted forswinging movement and controlling said first dog, a second lever pivotedfor swinging movement and controlling the second dog, pins dependingfrom said levers and adapted to engage said arm, a tension deviceconnected with said levers and drawing the latter normally toward eachother, an operating lever pivoted at one end and disposed between saidfirst levers and movable in one direction to engage the first lever torelease the dog controlled thereby and place said tension device undertension whereby upon the release of the dog the idle lever will swingsaid arm to move the switch blade in one direction and in the oppositedirection to engage the second-named lever and swing the latter torelease the secondnamed dog and place said tension device under tensionwhereby upon the release of the dog the first-mentioned lever willactuate said arm to move the switch blade in the reverse direction, andset screws carried by said dogs for taking up lost motion between thesame and the respective levers.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM E. GORTON. Witnesses:

L. L. RoEsLE, R. J. KENNARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

